also: ほう
point of a sword; tip of a blade
Refers to the very tip of a sword, knife, or similar bladed weapon. Often used in descriptions of combat or craftsmanship.
The point of the sword gleamed sharply.
sharp verbal attack; cutting remark
Figurative use: a pointed, aggressive remark or criticism that feels like a thrust from a blade.
The sharp edge of his words always strikes at his opponent's weak points.
切っ先 is the pointed tip at the very end of a sword or knife, whereas 刃先 refers to the sharpened cutting edge running along the blade.
Standard kanji spelling for the reading きっさき.
Irregular okurigana usage; less common than 切っ先.
Rare kanji form with the reading ほう; mainly used in literary or historical contexts.
Rarely used kanji form.
Search-only kanji form; not a standard spelling.
Developed from 切り先, “cutting tip,” with contraction and consonant doubling to 切っ先.